By Neilley Claude EBESSA
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Alex Iwobi believes something powerful is brewing inside the Super Eagles camp—and it has little to do with tactics alone.
A renewed sense of brotherhood, belief, and purpose has carried Nigeria into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, and now, standing between them and another final is the host nation, Morocco, under the Rabat lights.
Just two months after Nigeria’s World Cup dream was shattered on penalties in the same city, the Super Eagles are back—older, calmer, and riding a wave of unity that feels different this time.
This team feels like a family,” Iwobi said on Tuesday. “That togetherness starts from the coach.”
From Heartbreak to Momentum
The scars of Rabat are still fresh, but under Eric Chelle, Nigeria has transformed disappointment into drive. The former Mali coach has overseen a striking turnaround, restoring both joy and bite to the Super Eagles’ game.
Nigeria arrive as the tournament’s top scorers with 14 goals, a side clearly peaking at the right moment. For Iwobi, now 29 and one of the squad’s senior figures, timing may finally be aligning with talent.
We were strong in previous AFCONs, but we were still learning about each other,” he explained. “Now everyone is entering their prime, doing well at club level, and you can see the chemistry on and off the pitch.”
That chemistry has been visible in Nigeria’s fluid attacking play and collective defensive effort—an evolution from a team that finished runners-up at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire and reached the semi-finals in 2019.
This time it feels calmer, happier, tighter,” Iwobi added, even amid off-field noise over bonuses. “When you see the joy we play with, that comes from unity. We are fighting for our country, our families and ourselves.”
Firepower and a Test of Depth
Chelle is the first to admit his task is helped by serious quality up front. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, both recent African Player of the Year winners, have combined for seven goals, giving Nigeria a cutting edge few teams can match.
But the semi-final presents a major challenge. Nigeria will be without suspended captain Wilfred Ndidi, a vital presence in midfield. Raphael Onyedika is expected to step in, and Chelle insists the group mentality remains intact.
We are a group,” the coach said. “There are players waiting for their chance, ready to show quality.”
🇳🇬🇲🇦 Expect a fully packed stadium
Host Pressure and Moroccan Resolve
Awaiting Nigeria is a Morocco side fuelled by home advantage and expectation. Nearly 70,000 fans are expected in Rabat, with head coach Walid Regragui facing intense pressure to deliver continental success on home soil.
The man who led Morocco to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals knows exactly what Nigeria bring to the table.
To beat Nigeria, we must be strong mentally,” Regragui warned. “You cannot give them time to breathe.”
Pain into Purpose
For Nigeria, the mission is clear. This is about more than a final. It is about turning pain into purpose, silencing a partisan crowd, and taking one decisive step closer to continental glory.
United by brotherhood, driven by belief, and armed with goals, the Super Eagles return to Rabat not to relive heartbreak—but to rewrite the story.
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